2011 RAM CHASSIS CAB steering wheel

WARNING! (Continued)• Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should
always shift the transmission into PARK, remove
the key fob from the ignition, and apply the
parking brake. Once the key fob is removed from
the ignition, the shift lever is locked in the PARK
position, securing the vehicle against unwanted
movement. Furthermore, you should never leave
unattended children inside a vehicle.
Key Ignition Park Interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a Key Ignition Park Inter-
lock which requires the shift lever to be placed in PARK
prior to rotating the ignition switch to the LOCK posi-
tion. The key fob can only be removed from the ignition switch when the ignition switch is in the LOCK position
and once removed the shift lever is locked in PARK.
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System
This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Transmission Shift
Interlock System (BTSI) that holds the shift lever in the
PARK position when the ignition switch is in the LOCK
position. To move the shift lever out of the PARK
position, the ignition switch must be turned to any other
ignition switch position (ACC, ON, or START) (engine
running or not) and the brake pedal must be pressed.
Brake/Transmission Interlock Manual Override
There is an override for the BTSI that allows you to move
the shift lever out of the PARK position if an electrical
system malfunction occurs (i.e., dead battery).
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ACC or ON position
without starting the engine.
2. Tilt the steering wheel to the full up position
5 STARTING AND OPERATING 267

POWER STEERING
The standard power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical
steering capability if power assist is lost.
If for some reason the power assist is interrupted, it will
still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi-
tions, you will observe a substantial increase in steering
effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during
parking maneuvers.
NOTE:
• Increased noise levels at the end of the steering wheel
travel are considered normal and do not indicate that
there is a problem with the power steering system. • Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power steer-
ing pump may make noise for a short amount of time.
This is due to the cold, thick fluid in the steering
system. This noise should be considered normal, and it
does not in any way damage the steering system.
WARNING!Continued operation with reduced power steering
assist could pose a safety risk to yourself and others.
Service should be obtained as soon as possible.
CAUTION!Prolonged operation of the steering system at the end
of the steering wheel travel will increase the steering
fluid temperature and it should be avoided when
possible. Damage to the power steering pump may
occur.288 STARTING AND OPERATING

BRAKE SYSTEM
If power assist is lost for any reason (for example,
repeated brake applications with the engine off), the
brakes will still function. However, you will experience a
substantial increase in braking effort to stop the vehicle.
If either the front or rear hydraulic system loses normal
braking capability, the remaining system will still func-
tion with some loss of overall braking effectiveness. This
will be evident by increased pedal travel during applica-
tion, greater pedal force required to slow or stop, and
activation of the “Brake Warning Light” and the “ABS
Warning Light” (if equipped) during brake use.
Dual Rear Wheel Models Only
The brake system power assist is provided by a hydro-
boost unit which shares fluid with the power steering
system. You may experience some clicking or hissing
noises from the hydro-boost system during hard braking
conditions. NOTE: Under cold temperatures, pedal effort will be
higher than normal until the power steering fluid reaches
operating temperature.
Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System
WARNING!The Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System contains
sophisticated electronic equipment. It may be sus-
ceptible to interference caused by improperly in-
stalled or high output radio transmitting equipment.
This interference can cause possible loss of anti-lock
braking capability. Installation of such equipment
should be performed by qualified professionals.
The Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) is de-
signed to aid the driver in maintaining vehicle control
under adverse braking conditions. The system operates292 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!• Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating other than
that specified for your vehicle. Some combinations
of unapproved tires and wheels may change sus-
pension dimensions and performance characteris-
tics, resulting in changes to steering, handling, and
braking of your vehicle. This can cause unpredict-
able handling and stress to steering and suspen-
sion components. You could lose control and have
an accident resulting in serious injury or death.
Use only the tire and wheel sizes with load ratings
approved for your vehicle.
(Continued) WARNING! (Continued)• Never use a tire with a smaller load index or
capacity, other than what was originally equipped
on your vehicle. Using a tire with a smaller load
index could result in tire overloading and failure.
You could lose control and have an accident result-
ing in serious injury or death.
• Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having
adequate speed capability can result in sudden tire
failure and loss of vehicle control resulting in
serious injury or death.
CAUTION!Replacing original tires with tires of a different size
may result in false speedometer and odometer read-
ings.312 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible:
• Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and will not shift during travel. When trailering
cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts
can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have an accident.
• When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can
cause a loss of control, poor performance or dam-
age to brakes, axle, engine, transmission, steering,
suspension, chassis structure or tires.
(Continued) WARNING! (Continued)• Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to
the hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning corners.
• Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a
grade. When parking, apply the parking brake on
the tow vehicle. Put the tow vehicle transmission
in PARK. For four-wheel drive vehicles, make sure
the transfer case is not in NEUTRAL. Always,
block or  chock  the trailer wheels.
• GCWR must not be exceeded.
• Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
(Continued)332 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE: The transfer case must be in the NEUTRAL
position, and the transmission must be in PARK (auto-
matic transmission), or in gear (manual transmission) to
tow a four-wheel drive vehicle, unless all its wheels are
OFF the ground.
The manufacturer recommends towing with all wheels
OFF the ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the
vehicle on a flatbed or with one end of vehicle raised and
the opposite end on a towing dolly.
Two-Wheel Drive Vehicles
Provided that the transmission is operable, tow with the
transmission in NEUTRAL and the ignition key in the
OFF position along with the front wheels raised and the
rear wheels on the ground. Speed must not exceed
30 mph (50 km/h) and the distance must not exceed
15 miles (25 km). CAUTION!Towing faster than 30 mph (50 km/h) or for more than
15 miles (25 km) can cause severe damage to the
transmission. Such damage is not covered by the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
If the vehicle is to be towed faster than 30 mph (50 km/h)
or more than 15 miles (25 km) the vehicle must be towed
with the rear wheels OFF the ground. It may be towed on
a flatbed, or with the front wheels raised and the rear
wheels on a dolly, or (when using a suitable steering
wheel stabilizer to hold the front wheels in the straight
position) with the rear wheels raised and the front wheels
on the ground.
6 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 373

Points to Remember .................... 396
Pressure Cap ......................... 395
Radiator Cap ......................... 395
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ......... 393,423
Cruise Control (Speed Control) .............. 152
Cupholders ............................ 162
Customer Assistance ..................... 445
Data Recorder, Event ...................... 59
Daytime Running Lights ................... 145
Dealer Service .......................... 380
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 171
Defroster, Windshield ................ 74,250,255
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ................. 147
Differential, Limited-Slip .................. 284
Dipsticks
Automatic Transmission ................. 403
Power Steering ........................ 289 Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............... 396
Door Locks ............................. 29
Driving
Through Flowing, Rising,
or Shallow Standing Water ............... 285
Dual Rear Wheels ..................... 316,363
Electric Rear Window Defrost ............... 171
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 157
Electronic Range Select (ERS) ............... 268
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 152
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .... 192
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case ........... 278
Emergency Brake ........................ 289
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck ............... 370
Hazard Warning Flasher ................. 356
Jump Starting ......................... 366
10 INDEX 457

Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transmission ................. 403
Brake .............................. 398
Power Steering ........................ 289
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 423
Fog Lights ....................... 142,190,418
Four Wheel Drive ....................... 274
Four-Way Hazard Flasher .................. 356
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 370
Front Axle (Differential) ................... 400
Fuel ................................. 317
Adding ............................. 322
Diesel .............................. 423
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .................... 323
Filter ............................... 423
Gauge .............................. 179
Light ............................... 186
Octane Rating ........................ 317
Requirements ......................... 317 Tank Capacity ........................ 422
Fuses ................................ 410
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ............... 323,378
Gasoline (Fuel) ......................... 317
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 318
Gauges
Coolant Temperature ................... 179
Fuel ............................... 179
Oil Pressure .......................... 182
Speedometer ......................... 180
Tachometer .......................... 179
Voltmeter ............................ 186
Gear Ranges ........................... 270
General Information .................. 18,25,118
Glass Cleaning .......................... 409
Grocery Bag Retainer ..................... 170
Gross Axle Weight Rating .................. 327
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ................ 326
10 INDEX 459